HISTORY OF COSTUME IN OGUN STATE IJEBU ODE TOWN TO BE SPECIFIC

HISTORY OF COSTUME

OGUN STATE:

TOWN: IJEBU ODE

OGUN STATE

Ogun State was created from the old western state of February 3, 1976 by the then regime of General Muritala Mohammed. It has Abeokuta as its capital and largest city.

Located in South Western Nigeria, Ogun State covers 19,762 square Kilometers. It borders Lagos state to the south, Oyo and Osun state to the north, ondo state to the East and the Republic of Benin to the West.

Ogun state thus has the highest number of registered universities in Nigeria (nine in all) with five new private universities also in the state.

Sodeke (Shodeke) a hunter and leader of the egba refugees who fled from the disintegrating Oyo empire founded about 1830 a principality at Abeokuta in what is now the central part of the state. Most of the Egba and Egbado subgroup of the Yoruba “people and Culture”. Ogun state is made up of six ethnic groups Viz, the Egba, the Ijebu, the Remo, the Egbado, the Awori and the Egun. The language of the majority of the people of Ogun state is Yoruba but this is however broken into source of dialects.

TOURISM:

Places to visit in the state: Olumo Rock in Abeokuta, Birikisu Sugbo shrine at Oke –Eri Yemoji Natural swimming pool at Ijebu –Ode, Oyan dam in Abeokuta north iwopin boat regatta and ebute oni in Ogun waterside, Shrine – Ilaro Area j4 forest reserve – Tongeji Island, Ipokia, Old Manse at Ogbe, Abeokuta; St. James Anglican School, Ota and Ijamideo River Shrine, Ota.

FACTS:

The South Western state was created in 1976 by the military administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo in 1976 and has Abeokuta as its capital. It borders Lagos State to the south, Oyo and Osun states to the north, Ondo state to the east and the Republic of Benin to the west. It has 20 local government areas and west has important cities and towns such as Abeokuta, Ijebu – Ode, Sagamu, Ikenne, Remo, Ilao, Ijebu Igbo, Aiyetoro etc.

Ogun has one Federal University: the Federal university of Agriculture, Abeokuta; one state government college of education Tai Solarin College of Education, Also Ma Poly of Education.

Notable people like Obafemi Awolowo, MKO Abiola, Mike Adenuga, Olusegun Obasanjo, Wole Soyinka, Fela Kuti, Tunde Bakare and so on hails from the state.

The Ijebu’s in the state were the first Yoruba speaking people to contact with the Europeans in the early 14^th Century. They were the first Yoruba to have invented money made from cowry shells called “Owo Eyo” which was accepted throughout the kingdom of Yoruba land and was later replaced by legal tender coin made from silver materials called “Pandora” when the Europeans came.

Birikisu Sungbo Shrine is a tourist centre in the state located at Oke – Eri Village where, Muslims from all over the world converge for prayer, Birkisu in her lifetime was a known to be a devoted Muslim who possessed supernatural powers. It is claimed that she once dug a pit around the village with a needle. Even in her grave, she is believed to still maintain her powers as no weed has ever grown on her burial ground and the place where she was washed before she was buried up till now.

Other tourist places includes Olumo rock in Abeokuta, Yemoji Natural Swimming Pool at Ijebu – Ode, Oyan Dam in Abeokuta North, Iwopin Boat Regatta and Ebutte Oni in Ogun waterside.

The Ogun state people are known for making batik known as “Adire”

HAIR ON YORUBA LAND

Hair in many cultures plays a great role. There is a common rule that people who don’t groom their hair shows disrespect to the society. The main peculiarity is that Yoruba Hairstyles were not created just for beautification but as the means of differentiation. They could be religious on the basis of gender, marital status, Age mood, Political orientation etc.

At the same time, single Yoruba ladies wear their hair flowing from the right to the left.

It is usually more beautiful when the girl has a lot of individual rows. From 8 to 14 the cornrows are weaves or braided.

These are the most common Yoruba hairstyles chosen by girls and women.

·         Didi Hairstyles

·         Shuku Hairstyles

·         Sade Adu Hairstyles

·         Koroba Hairstyles

·         Irun Kiko

Shuku Hairstyles: such types of hairstyle are made in basket form. It can be blended into Koroba hairstyle. In ancient times only wives of very respectable rulers could have such hairstyle. Now it’s quite common.

Sade Adu Hairstyles:  These are hair in Yoruba word mean buck or pail. Sometimes it can be combined with the shuku hairstyle.

Irun Kiko: This hairstyle implies hair knotting with black Chinese.     

“CLOTHS WORN BY YORUBA PEOPLE ARE:

In different types: Traditional Clothes: The Yoruba have peculiar types of clothes that make them distinct from other cultures. They have Aso Ibile, the traditional clothes of various types and shades. Both male and female have different types and it is an aberration then for a man to wear a woman’s clothes and vice versa.

Before the advent of the European to the Yoruba land, only hand woven clothes were available. The Yoruba started from using Ibante (a piece if thick hand woven cloth) it is only used for covering the private parts of both the male and female.

Ibante was made from a type of cloth called Kijipa. (It is a tarpaulin like cloth). It is usually very thick and can withstand any stress. Later on people started wearing normal cloth that is made from Aso- Oke.

Some of these types of Aso - Oke materials include etu, petuje, San-an-yan, alaaari and so on. For men’s wear they have buba, esiki and sapara which are regarded as ewu awotele or underwear, while they also have dandogo agbada, gbariye, sulia and oyala, which are also known as ewu awoleke or over wears.

They also have various types of sokoto or native trousers that are sown alongside the above mentioned dresses. Some of these are kembe, gbanu, soro, kamu, sokoto elemu etc. A man’s dressing is incomplete without a cap. Some of these caps include, but are not limited to Gobi, tinko, abeti-aje, akagbaa, oribi, bentigoo, oride and labankada.

Women also have different types of dresses. They most commonly found are Iro and buba or wrapper with blouse, like loose top with the sleeve almost getting to wrist. Women also have gele or head gear that must be put on whenever iro and buba is on. Just as the cap is important to men, women’s dressing is incomplete if gele is not put on.

“The Royal Garments of Ijebu-Ode and Yoruba Land” during the years before the importations of fancy clothes from Europe, an Oba wore a wrapper or kilt – like garment falling from the waist with such a covering he wore the royal beads and other Insignia as well as “Schaba” (deep leggings), made from large beads, most likely the old Red-Stone ones.

By the 18^th and 19^th centuries the Oba’s costumes had become much more ornate outside influences had come to bear upon its design, costly, fashionable fabrics such as white line damask, velvet, brocade and figured silks were being imported into Lagos from Europe. Only the very rich could afford them. They made perfect fabrics for the royal gowns. Other influences were infiltrating from the North: converts to Islam made use of the large gowns worn in the North. Hand – Woven Silk Manufactured locally contributed another costly cloth suitable for an Oba. Enormous “gbariyes” (gowns) of velvet were lined with local hand – woven cotton cloth (Aso – Oke). The weight of these was very great, under gowns were made from expensive white damask.

“Trousers” an introduction from the North were also worn, these were of the typical Hausa Style cut very voluminous and drawn – up to the waist with a draw – string. Usually these matched the gown or were of brocade or silk. The Oba’s dress in modern time has not changed basically, although many innovations have been added. Greater use is now made use is now made of Aso – Oke, by reigning Oba’s.

ACCESSORIES AND BODY ADORNMENT

There are many types of beads, hand, laces, necklaces bangles that are abandoned in Yoruba land that both male and female put on. Chiefs, kings or people from the royal family, especially use some of these beads, often once attached to ceremonial regalia was measured by the number and size of the Coral and Red-stone beads. The very oldest Red-Stone beads of great value, the earliest in Benin, were reputed to have been brought from Ile-Ife by Prince Oranmiyan a son of Oduduwa. The Red-stone beads have always been important as a part of the official regalia of Nigeria rulers.

The costumes of the Yoruba rulers: Yoruba robes and ceremonial paraphernalia of state are very rich and varied. There are some items which are reputed to have had their origin in the days of Oduduwa, the father of all the Yoruba people. By faithful transmission of these resource from one generation to another as well as the addition of new elements through various descendants, there is now a blending of traditional and modern, in the regalia of the Oba.

The Oba’s costume of centuries ago consisted mainly of an elaborate crown or tiara, deep beaded – collar, a counter balanced pectoral kilt and beaded leggings and other bead ornaments. The torso was bare. This is the costume which may be observed worn by the figures of bronze which may be viewed in the museums of Ife and Lagos. The feet will be seen to be bare, although toe-rings were occasionally worn on the second toe of each foot.

“Crowns and Coroners”

Crowns of various styles have long been an important part of the Oba’s costumes. Beaded crowns and boots made usually by a bead-worker attached to a royal palace. The Ijebu were formerly the ones who used these boots.

Bead Work (Ileke – Bead): Ijebu – Ode has long been the centre where the finest beadwork has been made. The responsibility for the work was entrusted to one family there, who most jealously guarded their secret knowledge and expertise in his work. Either the men worked in their homes, or in the Oba’s palace. Women were strictly forbidden to undertake beadwork. It was feared that they might divulge the secrets to outsiders. In Ijebu – Ode similar precautions were taken against mass dissemination of such skilled work.

The royal family kept of body of men known as Isonas, who were responsible for the apparel of the Oba and his family, these men who make the beaded robes and accessories, they are also the ones who make the royal staff, umbrellas crowns and anything else required by the household.

“Festival in Ijebu – Ode and Yoruba Land”

Yoruba Festivals are numerous and multifarious. For this reasons some are of the view that the Yoruba’s are deeply spiritual. In addition to the generally celebrated festivals among the festival called “Ojude Oba” festival is celebrated by the Ijebu’s who are renowned for both their enterprise and affluence. This article examines the cultural and spiritual signification of the Ojude Oba Festival. It analyzes the early beginnings of the festival while providing insights into the epoch of the Ijebu’s. the festival constitutes a major commercial integration and development to the Ijebu community. This article argues that the Ojude Oba festival should not be seen simply for its entertainment value, but as manifestation of Yoruba Cultural, Socio – economic, and Spiritual values.

Yoruba is the name given to represent the ethnic group and language of these living in south-west Nigeria. The Yoruba’s have a very culture with a strong spiritual background. These cultural wealth and spiritual beliefs are exhibited during their festivals celebrated in all the Yoruba Communities; some are peculiar to certain Yoruba communities. These festivals are often staged on an annual basis. One of the most popular festivals peculiar to the Ijebu speaking community. Subgroup of the Yoruba Ethnic group is the “Ojude Oba” (The frontage of the king).

Festival, which is an annual event; The festival celebrates some of the unique features of the community such as their aesthetic taste in “Clothe, music, costumes, food, and so on people of all cultures celebrate festivals unique to their culture and customs. Festivals serve as a means of community assembly and unity. They are also a way of placing the people at the heart of their culture and social environment. Owusu Frempong (2005) in one of his articles noted that African Festivals are medium of cultural education and intergeneration communication and play an important role in the preservation.

IJEBU KINGDOM

Ijebu (also known as Jebu or Geebu[1]) was a Yoruba kingdom in pre-colonial Nigeria. It was formed around the fifteenth century.[2] According to legend, its ruling dynasty was founded by Obanta of Ile-Ife.

 The King of Ijebu (right)

The kingdom was one of the most developed in the region with a complex and highly organized government. The capital was at Ijebu Ode where the Awujale had his palace. Counterbalancing the Awujale was the Osugbo (known as the Ogboni in other parts of Nigeria), a council of all free born men that acted as the kingdom's courts. The Osugbo was divided into six groups based on rank, the highest being the iwarefa, whose head the Oliwa was the second most powerful figure in the nation. Also powerful was the Olisa who could be described as the mayor of Ijebu Ode.

Like many African societies, Ijebu was also divided into three age ranks and these groups each had their own leaders. The Kingdom is made up of several towns that stretches to parts of Lagos State and borders Ondo State. These towns includes Sagamu, Ijebu-Igbo, Imota, Ikorodu, Epe, Lagos,Ijebu-Isiwo (Pronounced as Ijebu-Ishiwo), Ogun Waterside, Iwopin, Lekki in Lagos State, Ijebu-Imushin, Ijebu-Ife, Apunren, Erunwon, Isonyin, Ososa, Odogbolu and Ago-Iwoye.

The state rose in power in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries mainly due to its important position on the trade routes between Lagos and Ibadan. The kingdom imposed sharp limits on trade insisting that all trade through the region be conducted by Ijebu merchants. The monopoly brought great wealth to the kingdom, but also annoyed Europeans.

REASONS WHY FISH SURVIVE IN COLD ICE OCEAN

THE REASONS WHY FISH SURVIVE IN COLD ICE OCEAN ARE:

In icy cold winters months, lakes and rivers freeze over forming ice, the fish and other aquatic animals manage to survive. Animals like seals, penguins, walruses and a wide variety of sea birds are all fish eaters, they live in the arctic and Antarctic circle, amidst the ice caps. The land is completely frozen. Yet these animals manage to live in this region. How do they do it?

The icy waters of the arctic and Antarctic oceans support a great amount of marine life for millions of years, life has remained undamaged making it possible for these animals to adapt themselves to these partial of excretions.  

But they do get some help from nature. All liquid have a boiling point and a freezing point. When water boils at a certain temperature it turns into steam. When it cools to a certain temperature it freezes and become ice. Water boils at 100 degree Celsius (100⁰c) and freezes at 0⁰c. When the outsides temperature falls below the freezing point of waters, lakes and rivers yet frozen.

However only the top layer of lakes or river freeze. Underneath the frozen upper layer, the water remains in its liquid form and does not freeze. Also, oxygen is trapped beneath the layer of ice. As a result, fish and other aquatic animals find it possible to live comfortably in the frozen lakes and ponds.

But why doesn’t the entire body if water freeze, like a giant, lake – sized ice cubes? Generally, all liquids expand on heating, but water is an exception to this rule. If water is heated, its volume continues till the temperature rises to 4⁰c. At temperatures over 4⁰c water starts expanding. It then keeps expanding with the further rise in temperature, till finally at 100⁰c it turns into steam.

In other words, at 4⁰c, water has the least volume (occupies the least amount if space) and maximum density (is at its heaviest) this irregular expansion if water called anomalous expansion. This anomalous expansion plays an important role by only freezing the upper layer in lakes and rivers.

During winter months in colder countries the outside or atmosphere temperature is very low it drops to below freezing and the upper layers of waters in the lakes and ponds start cooling. When the temperature of the surface layers fall to 4⁰c the waters body acquires maximum density and sinks down. The water that sinks down displaces water below, and the lower layers of water simultaneously rise up. This also gets cooled to 4⁰c and again sinks down.

When the temperature of the water body finally goes down below 4⁰c the density or heaviness of water decreases and as a result water does not sink down. The surface water finally freezes at 0⁰c while the lower part still remains at 4⁰c. the light frozen layer of ice floats on top.

Ice does not allow heat to pass through it easily, so the freezing of the waters below is a very slow process. At depth below 30 meters, temperatures are cold and stables, but food is source. As a result animals have adapted to this situation by growing more slowly.

There are other dangers that fish face in freezing waters like deaths. The body fluid of an ordinary fish can solidify if the temperature of the surrounding water drops below 5⁰c, so Arctic and Antarctic fish have adjusted to their surrounding in an interesting manner.

Certain species of cod, polar fish have a reduced metabolic rate and produce anti freeze molecules called glycoprotein to reduce the freezing point of their body fluids. One could look at it as the fishy version of bears hibernating, a survival tactic that has seen theses friends outlive many other creature on earth.    

INSURGENGY AND INDISCIPLINE IN THE UNITED NATIONS

INSURGENGY AND INDISCIPLINE IN THE UNITED NATIONS

The United Nations are fuelling insurgency and perpetrating indiscipline in the land (Nigeria). They donated about 100 vehicles to the police then, when I raised an alarm about Richard Templar book about unhappiness with the UN underlined in the book that means under the UN they hid all the vehicles and the vehicles are not patrolling here in Lagos or any other state. They are also sponsoring coups in the country Nigeria by breaking our constitution that says in section (1) that no person or group of persons should take any part of the country by force also Section (12) that is no treaty between other country and the federation shall have any force of law to the extent to which it has been ensured by the National Assembly. They then invited other continents to Nigeria and that if the federation is at war under Section (64) which relate to gadgets.

They also invited the Paris Club IMF, World Bank to rape the children of this country Nigeria of their future by corruption and also using the letter of the word to be superior to be spirit of the word and also use a slang for this which they call dis which is not in the dictionary.

They also after the monument which I made a model of which has been touted to be the mother of all buildings like the Taj Mahal in India. It has also be rated as a wonder of the world also because I nicknamed my healthy of high birth daughter Heiress Paris because she is a heiress to my large fortune estimated to be above 300,000,000,000 billion pounds from my innovation patent idea, ideas, creativity, music etc.

O is the 15^th alphabet. Owe is also pronounced like O and wherever O is in a word here in Nigeria you are owed whatever it is for example: O.P.E.C Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (O=PEC) which is the same as O-Peculiar and a Peculiar person is an exceptional, unique and distinct person with talent, innovational idea, ideas or creativity because they think outside the box they continue to owe the person until they can convert or covet or deprive the person of what is illegally his.

Since there are only odd and even people in the world hence everybody is odd to each other even twins birthed together are different but the even person is similar to the peculiar person and stands out

 It is an international organization hence an international conspiracy.

 Oil was first discovered in Olobiri in Calabar which means you used girls/ women for diabolical purposes.

Another evidence is that they the oil cartels especially in the Arab countries made Diezani Allison-Madueke as the OPEC Chairman when they despise women to have authority over them. Also it was rumoured that they used my twin from one of my girlfriend that was pregnant for me through Diezani that is why she was rewarded with the post.

In the film the Ultimate Gift it was explained there that I should be given up to 2 billion dollars depending on OPEC rates.

I have been a peculiar person for over 20 years but they are still owing me till date and Chevron one of the seven sisters have a place just 3 minutes from our hotel and I can prove their motive is to deprive me of my fortune success also children including the highway round the country which was supposed to be  similar to the M25 in London and the Autobahn in Europe since we had a fight over the road they construct to their site in our vicinity.